In essence, you have two rebuilding teams using new P5 HCs with only 2-3 years HC experience at the G5 level. Norvel was 38-15 at Memphis and CGC was 15-10 at Temple. Obviously we like our choice of HC, but it's, on paper, at least a wash. While CGC had a huge transition here, Norvell faced a cancerous situation at FSU. In my mind, the two teams are alike in a lot of ways, but in the end, it comes down to talent and depth. On O, I think we match or exceed them talent-wise at every position, though the overall lack of experience at QB for us is in their favor. Depth wise, mainly on the OL, we aren't there yet and it will be a couple of years before we build and develop to that level.
On D, I think they match or exceed us talent wise at most positions and definitely have more depth. I like our trajectory here, and feel as if CGC and Thacker are the better coaches on that side of the ball, but there is a lot of NFL talent on the FSU D.
In the end, I think this game comes down to depth. I think we will keep it close for a quarter or two and then our lack of depth will show up. As you said though, the biggest equalizer in this game is that they may be as dysfunctional this year as we were last year, and with discipline issues, that could be the tipping point in our favor.